  
 $30 Million Commitment Will Create First Nonwovens Minority-Owned Supplier
CINCINNATI, July 6, 2004 — The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) announced today it has signed a $30 million contract for future business over the next 18 months with Amantea Nonwovens LLC, a minority-owned nonwovens company. Amantea will provide specialty nonwovens to P&G's North American diapers and global tampon businesses via a distribution agreement with BBA Fiberweb, an existing strategic P&G nonwovens supplier.
Amantea will be responsible for managing all logistics in the new contract. BBA Fiberweb will continue to be the manufacturer of this material for the period of the contract. During the 18 month distribution agreement, Amantea will build internal capability and construct a new nonwovens line to produce nonwovens materials for P&G. Plans are being finalized for a longer term supply agreement between Amantea and P&G that includes a new plant in Ohio.
"This agreement between majority companies P&G and BBA will enable Amantea to be the first African-American-owned company in this industry," said Kevin Lynch, CEO of Amantea Nonwovens. "We deeply appreciate the full support of P&G and BBA Fiberweb. They are to be commended for their commitment to minority business enterprises."
P&G spends approximately $700 million annually on nonwoven material. Nonwovens are used in the manufacture of products such as Pampers® diapers and baby wipes, Always®, Tampax®, Swiffer®, Bounce®, Olay® Daily Facials.
"Getting a minority-owned supplier into nonwovens has been one of our key priorities over the past year," said Camille Chammas, Director of P&G's Global Baby Care Purchases organization. "P&G has an aggressive program to deliver $1.5 billion in annual minority business spending by July 2005. Breakthroughs such as this project are key to achieving that goal."
"We are finalizing our plans for the production operation," stated Sorin Crainic, COO of Amantea. "Key right now is to finalize our financing plans and sign a production agreement in order to begin ordering equipment," Mr. Crainic continued. "It is amazing to me how far we have come since we first met with P&G. We can't thank P&G and BBA enough for their support."
"BBA has had a long and fruitful relationship with Procter & Gamble and is pleased to help support such beneficial initiatives such as this," said Ross McMillan, Chief Executive Officer of BBA Fiberweb.
In addition to the distribution agreement, BBA Fiberweb has also provided executive-on-loan Dennis Tavernetti, who is currently serving a two-year term as Chairman of INDA, the North American Nonwovens Industry Association. "P&G's efforts to link Amantea with existing industry suppliers was key to this coming together," said Mr. Tavernetti. "The investment and technology needed to penetrate this industry is substantial, which helps to explain the lack of a minority presence until now. As Chairman of INDA I am pleased to welcome Amantea into the nonwovens industry."
About Amantea Nonwovens LLC
Amantea Nonwovens LLC was established in 2003 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Amantea's business plans call for ongoing production operations that will employ ~30 skilled technicians and plant leaders with ongoing sales of $20 million per year. Amantea intends to expand its operations in nonwovens in the next 2-3 years.
About BBA Fiberweb
BBA Fiberweb is part of the BBA Group Plc headquartered in London, England. BBA Fiberweb supplies a broad range of nonwovens products into the hygiene, industrial and medical industries. BBA has operations in 19 countries, employing 2,600 personnel, with sales of $960 million in 2003.
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